I might be able to buy a laptop.... but, it won't be much of a budget. Probably $500 to $700... (+ taxes extra).

I used google to search and review a few but I'm still unsure. I really wanted to go with a 2nd gen. Intel sandybridge one rather than an older business machine (bad idea?). I just want something newer with modern hardware.

Any comments on these? I have an impression that HP and Acer have a bad rep for lower quality laptops but these are some of their later offerings.... are they still bad?

Is anyone familiar with these models? Which one would you pick and why?

I want it for general purpose but don't worry about gaming. I'm not using it for that.

Any recommendations?

enaberif

February 12, 2012 09:59 AM

Acer Timelines are a great series and Acer themselves have good stuff out now as long as you don't cheap out.

CroSsFiRe2009

February 12, 2012 12:19 PM

If I recall correctly, the acers may overheat, at least for the 3830tg, they have throttling issues. However a lot of people do own the laptop and have had no problems while others have found redoing the thermal paste dropped temps a lot. YMMV.
You can find it at staples Staples and if you can get a coupon or two to lower the price it's one heck of a deal and is what I'd recommend.

Canker

February 22, 2012 03:08 PM

I bought an HP Probook 4530S and it is excellent. My only complaint with it was the international french Canadian keyboard it came with. I contacted HP and they shipped me a US keyboard which I replaced myself without headache or bother. It came with 7 Professional, no bloatware, a matte display and it has the nicest access to ram slots I have seen so far. HP's probook and elitebook lines are more business oriented, better built and better supported than their consumer grade stuff.